Portion capsule having an identifier

ABSTRACT

A portion capsule for producing a beverage includes a base element having a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided and which is closed by a membrane fastened to the base element.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit from and is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/744,623, filed Jan. 18, 2013, entitled PORTIONCAPSULE HAVING AN IDENTIFIER, which claims benefit from InternationalApplication No. PCT/EP2011/003677, filed on Jul. 22, 2011, entitledPORTION CAPSULE HAVING AN IDENTIFIER which application is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a portion capsule for producing abeverage, comprising a base element having a cavity in which a beverageraw material is provided and which is closed by a membrane fastened tothe base element.

Such capsules are well known and are being launched onto the market inabundant variety. Since these capsules are often quite similar, it ispossible that the manufacturer's capsules are used in a coffee machinedesigned by another manufacturer, although they are not suited for it.This may result in significant security issues and/or the coffee machinemay be damaged.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a portioncapsule which only is suitable for a specific coffee machine.

SUMMARY

The object is accomplished according to the present invention by aportion capsule for producing a beverage, comprising a base elementhaving a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided and whichis closed by a membrane fastened to the base element, wherein it has anidentifier, which allows to individualize the respective portioncapsule.

The present invention relates to a capsule for producing a beverage orfoodstuff, comprising a base element having a cavity in which a beverageraw material is provided. Such capsules are, for example made ofplastic, natural materials and/or biodegradable materials andsubstantially have a base element, in particular a deep-drown baseelement, i.e. it is substantially designed frustoconically orcylindrically. The beverage raw material is arranged within the portioncapsule's cavity and is extracted and/or dissolved in a liquid, inparticular water. After the beverage raw material has been filled intothe cavity the base element is usually sealed by a membrane. Inparticular the membrane is localized on the opposite side of the baseelement's bottom. The membrane can be made of the same or differentmaterial as the base element and is substantially attached to the baseelement using a sealing and/or an adhesive bonding. Additionally thecavity could contain one or several built-in elements, such as, forexample a filter, a non-woven, a felt, a shut-off device and/orsomething similar to those. For the case that a non-woven and a felt arearranged within the cavity, they are interconnected preferably. Thenon-woven and/or the felt can be made of several layers in such a waythat the layers may differ in the kind of its starting material and/orits preparation. Moreover the membrane and/or the bottom can be providedwith a plurality of recesses (holes).

According to the present invention, it is provided that the portioncapsule has an identifier that allows to individualize the respectiveportion capsule. In the context of this invention individualizing meansthat the respective portion capsule can be assigned to a group ofcapsules that are suitable for the coffee machine preferably. It is notnecessary that the coffee machine is able to specify and/or identify theportion capsule. In fact it is much more important that the coffeemachine associates the portion capsule with a group of portion capsules,which is suitable for the coffee machine. In particular, individualizingmeans that those portion capsules that are not appropriate for thecoffee machine cannot be inserted into and/or directly fall through theholder, which is designed for the portion capsules in the coffeemachine, and/or the coffee machine operates only with the correspondingportion capsules. Preferably a sensor/detection system handles theidentifier and compares it with a stored reference substantially.Preferably, the coffee machine, in particular thewater-providing-pressure pump, will be activated if the detectedidentifier matches with the reference. Otherwise the coffee machine willnot start operating. Preferably the detection system is placed in theregion of the coffee machine's media chute designed for the portioncapsules. According to another preferred embodiment of the invention,the detection system may be placed in the region of the brewing chamber.Another possible embodiment of the invention provides that theidentifier prevents portion capsules from inserting into the coffeemachine. Alternatively or additionally, means, in particular mechanicalmeans, more preferably, one or more gearwheels, may be added to themedia chute in order to guarantee that incorrect portion capsule cannotbe inserted into the coffee machines by passing the media chute.

Preferably the identifier is composed of surface areas having differentoptical properties, for example reflection. These surfaces may belocalized on the membrane, the side wall and/or the bottom of theportion capsules. Preferably, the portion capsule has at least two areaswhich differ in their optical properties, for example the reflectioncharacteristics.

The detection of a recess and/or a bulge is also preferred. Preferably,recess and bulges alternate and/or at least two recesses or bulges areseparately placed from each other. Especially it is possible that therecess and/or the bulge form a gearwheel that is attached to the outerborder and/or at least partially extends to the wall region of theportion capsule. The recess and/or bulge may be produced by any shapingmethod, for example by deep drawing, preferably.

Furthermore, the recess may be realized by removing material. Inparticular the material's remove can be accomplished by punching orusing a laser on condition that this processing does not damage abarrier layer placed in the portion capsule's material, which preventsmoisture or aroma from escaping out of the portion capsule and/or watervapor or oxygen enters the capsule. The reading of the identifier, whichis encoded in the recess and/or bulge, may be a result from a mechanicaland/or optical method, for example. Alternatively or additionally, theidentifier can be used to avoid that the portion capsule is insertedinto the coffee machine. This applies in particular to the media chute.For example it is possible to design a portion capsule comprising a ringgear that is placed on its circumference and is compatible with anotherring gear, which is placed in the media chute. If the media chute's ringgear only revolves for a corresponding ring gear of the portion capsuleand its revolving allows the portion capsule to pass, only portioncapsules equipped with the proper ring gear will pass the insertionlock.

According to a further subject matter of a preferred development of thepresent invention, the identifier may be included in the membrane.Preferably, the identifier is a layer or partial layer of the membrane.Such identifiers may be an optically detectable material, for example afluorescent material. Furthermore, the identifier may be designed withlayers made of metal or ferrous metal or stripes made of metal orferrous metal in or on the membrane, respectively.

Preferably the identifier is a machine-readable imprint. This isrealized with a print in food approved color, preferably. Fluorescentmaterials like paper or print materials, whose optical properties changeunder the influence of temperature, are favored also. Preferably theprint is a barcode, a logo or a rapport.

According to a further subject matter of a preferred development of thepresent invention, the identifier is an electrically conductive section,which can be placed all over the portion capsule, but is localized onthe side wall, the edge and/or the floor preferably. The electricallyconductive section, which is inserted into the coffee machine, canbecome part of an electric circuit and causes therefore a measurablechange, which leads to the identification of the respective portioncapsule. In a further preferred embodiment, the identifier is a sectionmade of a ferromagnetic material.

Another construction version favors a RFID chip being the identifier.

If the portion capsule is customized according to the invention, portioncapsules that are not in line with the coffee machine will be preventedfrom inserting into the coffee machine. Furthermore it is possible thatthe identifier allows to identify the portion capsule located in thebrewing chamber in such a way that the production process of beverage orfood may be controlled, for example by adjusting the temperature, thepressure and/or the amount of water.

According to a further subject matter of a preferred development of thepresent invention, the portion capsule's material is weakened in thebottom area caused by a selective material removal, for example by usinga laser. The weakening is provided for piercing the portion capsulesusing a mandrel. This procedure is needed for the beverage'spreparation. Since the material is weakened in the section, which istreated with a laser and is supposed to be pierced using the mandrel,the degree of necessary force for piercing the portion capsule isreduced. The mandrel of such coffee machines is usually equipped with aforce limitation that limits the force, which is dedicated for pressingthe mandrel against the portion capsule's bottom. This preparationavoids that portion capsules having no appropriate weakening can be usedin such a coffee machine. Consequently the weakening represents anotherkind of identifier.

According to a further subject matter of a preferred development of thepresent invention, the portion capsule has an edge region, which ispreferably attached to the base element. Preferably, the edge is locatedopposite of the base element's bottom area. After the raw material hasbeen filled in the portion capsule, a membrane can be attached to thisedge region, for instance. Moreover the edge can also designed forguiding the portion capsule into the chute in order to position theportion capsule in the brewing chamber properly. Simultaneously it ispossible to use the surface of the edge for stopping and/or sealing.

Preferably provision is made for the portion capsule to have means forfit locking, friction locking and/or detection in the edge region. Themeans for fit locking and/or friction locking may be used to activate acomplementary mechanism, which is located in the coffee machine, inorder to allow inserting the portion capsule into the coffee machineand/or starting a sensor, like a gearwheel, that transmits a signal to acontrol unit depending on whether the portion capsule corresponds to thecoffee machine or not. Alternatively or additionally, a detector mayidentify the mean for fit locking, friction locking and/or detection inorder to check that the portion capsule is suitable to the respectivecoffee machine.

Preferably the means for fit locking, friction locking and/or detectionis a gearwheel or a gearwheel′ segment, which are located, inparticular, in the outer area of the edge region. The teeth of thegearwheel or the gearwheel′ segment may be shaped in any commonly usedform, which is known, for example, by an expert from gear manufacturing.Preferably it is provided that these teeth are triangular, rectangular,square or wavy.

Preferably there is a sealing surface, that is arranged on the interiorside relative to the gearwheel or the gearwheel′ segment.

Another and preferred state-of-the-art technology is a portion capsulefor producing a beverage, comprising a base element substantiallydesigned frustoconically or cylindrically, having a cavity in which abeverage raw material is provided and which is closed by a membranefastened to the base element with the base element having a wall regionand the base element having a bottom area, which is preferably locatedopposite to the membrane, with the wall region having several groovesand the grooves which are located between membrane and bottom areacovering the wall region along its height at least partially. Thegrooves may be also located in the edge region, in particular on theouter area of the edge region.

This portion capsule has the advantage over the portion capsuleaccording to the state-of-the-art technology that, for instance, thegrooves reinforce the base element's wall region. On the one side thesegrooves make the portion capsule more stable towards mechanical forcesand prevent the portion capsule from deformation and buckling, inparticular. The arrangement of the grooves, which are located at thewall region, additionally improves the performance of the portioncapsule while the extraction liquid flows through it in the brewingchamber, since the arrangement of the grooves, in particular thosepartially expending over the wall region between membrane and bottomarea, increase quality and reliability of the extraction processsignificantly. According to the invention another advantage is that thebase element's thickness can be reduced, because the use of groovesimproves the physical stability. The production of the portion capsuleis therefore much less expensive and more environmentally friendly. Onthe other side the grooves reduce or avoid the contact between theportion capsule's wall region and the wall of the brewing chamber. As aresult ejecting or removing the portion capsule from the brewing chamberis made easier. Another advantage of using a plurality of grooves isthat the stream of the extraction liquid, which flows along the baseelement in the cavity, can be optimized by choosing a grooves' structurethat is able, for example, to generate on the one hand a better orstronger turbulence in the extraction liquid or on the other hand a moreuniform (laminar) flow of the extraction liquid, in the wall region. Thecontrol of the liquid may be obtained by the structure of the groovesitself or by using simple means additionally. A stronger turbulencecompared to the one known in the state-of-the-art has the advantage thatno unintended and casual main streams are formed in the raw materials.Instead the extraction liquid equally flows through the raw material inall of the volume. Thus the extraction process is much more efficientand can be controlled more precisely and reproducibly.

In particular the raw material may be coffee powder (especially groundroasted coffee), chocolate powder, milk powder, tea or the like.Alternatively, it is conceivable that the raw material is a beverage'sextract, such as instant coffee for example.

In particular, the grooves are recesses and bulges, which are preferablydirected along a main extension and are preferably extended along thewall portion or the periphery of the edge region. More preferably, thegrooves are formed as webs and/or notches. A gearwheel, for instance,may be obtained by the grooves. Therefore the grooves are part of thebase elements' wall, optionally located on the inner side facing to thecavity and/or on the outside facing away from the cavity.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it isprovided that the grooves form an identifier that allows individualizingthe portion capsule. In the context of this invention individualizingpreferably means that the respective portion capsule can be assigned toa group of capsules that are suitable for the respective coffee machineor the machine producing a beverage. It is not necessary that the coffeemachine or the device for producing a beverage is able to specify and/oridentify the portion capsule. It is more important that the device forproducing a beverage, in particular a coffee machine, associates theportion capsule with a group of portion capsules, which is appropriatefor the respective device for producing a beverage, in particular acoffee machine. In particular, individualizing means that those portioncapsules that are not appropriate for the coffee machine (or the deviceproducing the beverage) cannot be inserted into and/or directly fallthrough the holder, which is designed for the portion capsules in thecoffee machine (or the device producing the beverage), and/or the coffeemachine (or the device producing the beverage) operates only withcorresponding portion capsules (“proper portion capsule”). Inparticular, individualizing means that the coffee machine or the deviceproducing the beverage will not operate properly in the intended use, ifthe used portion capsule is not customized according to the invention.Preferably a sensor/detection system, attached to the coffee machine orthe device producing the beverage, records the identifier andsubstantially compares it with a stored reference. In particular, it ispossible that such an identification process is based on a mechanicalfitting, especially a fitting of a gearwheel or of a contour comparablewith a gearwheel, which is attached to the device producing the beverageor the coffee machine and interacts with the portion capsule. It ispreferred that the device for producing the beverage or the coffeemachine only will operate, if the identifier matches to the reference orthe mechanical fittings match with each other. In this case the devicefor producing the beverage particularly starts to operate, especiallyactivates a pressure or water pump. The mean for detection or mechanicalfitting is preferably located in the region of the media chute or in theregion of the device for producing the beverage. Alternatively theidentifier or the mechanical fitting may avoid that an unsuitableportion capsule is inserted into the device for producing the beverage.A portion capsule, which is designed in accordance with the invention,makes it possible that a portion capsule that is not designed for thedevice for producing a beverage cannot be inserted into it. Additionallythe identifier allows that the device for producing the beverage,especially the coffee machine, may specify the sort of the portioncapsule and thereby control the production process of beverage and foodby adapting, for example, the pressure, the temperature and/or theamount of water.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, itis provided that at least a part of the grooves and at least in asubarea parallel to the main plane of the membrane is gearwheel shaped.

According to the present invention it is an advantage that it ispossible to increase the stability of the portion capsule's wall region,to realize improved turbulences of the extraction liquid and thereby toimprove the extraction's process under the same conditions, for example,such as material thickness and the like. Another advantage is that it iseasy to generate a mechanical identifier or a mechanical fitting thatmatches with a fitting tool that belongs to the device for producing abeverage. According to the invention it is an further advantage that,for example, a gearwheel, which is attached to the device for producinga beverage and is, for example, located in the region of the media chuteor similar, can possibly interacts with the gearwheel's contour of theportion capsule. In this way it is possible to generate a mechanicalfitting that allow to individualize the portion capsule as a proper oneand/or to specify the sort of portion capsule and/or to rotate theportion capsule about an axis of rotation, that is perpendicular to themembrane's main plane, by using the gearwheel's arrangement. Such anembodiment of the invention makes it possible that the portion capsuleis always opened with the device for producing a beverage on the samespot (with respect to its angular position) and therefore the rawmaterial is extracted on the same manner. Moreover the grooves preventthe portion capsule from being inserted into the coffee machine.

In a preferred version of the invention, it is provided that there is aflange/edge region being averted from the bottom region, for fixing themembrane to the base element, where in the wall region betweenflange/edge region and bottom region preferably has a border and thegrooves are being preferably extended to this border.

Because of this it is another advantage according to the invention thaton the one hand the wall region can be constructed in a stable andreinforced manner and on the other hand the gearwheel shaped contour ofthe grooves, located at the wall region, is able to absorb a relativehigh load. With that it is possible that the portion capsule can berotated easily and without any damaging of the portion capsule withinthe device for producing a beverage.

Preferably the base element's diameter is enlarged in the border'sregion compared to the wall region, which range from the border to thebottom region.

This gives rise to the advantageous possibility to stack portion capsuleor portion capsules' base elements easily and robustly.

Moreover it is preferred that at least a part of the grooves aregearwheel shaped and at least a plane, which is at least partiallygearwheel shaped, is parallel to the membrane in such a way that thegearwheel shaped contour expands over the borders or the flange/edgeregion.

Further preferred versions of the present invention relate to portioncapsules that implement one or more of the following characteristics:

-   -   the base element tapers in the direction of the flange in the        border's region,    -   the grooves directed toward the bottom region expand over the        border's region,    -   the grooves approximately cover 20%-80%, preferably 40%-60% of        the wall region, which is placed between the border and the        bottom region,    -   the grooves are constructed in such a way that the wall region        is reinforced and/or the grooves causes an extraction liquid's        turbulence in the cavity.

Other preferred versions of the present invention relate to portioncapsules that are manufactured in such a way that the ratio of thediameter of that wall region of the base element which adjoins theflange to the diameter of the flange is between 0.85 and 0.89, and inparticular substantially 0.87.

In a preferred version the wall region's diameter, which is adjacent tothe flange, is 39 millimeter and the flange's diameter is 45 millimeter.Another advantageous version of the invention prefers a base elementhaving a thicker wall region in the border's region compared to the wallregion between bottom region and flange. Since the portion capsule'sdesign, which contains grooves in the wall region, improve itsstability, it is possible to save material by manufacturing the portioncapsule and therefore to reduce cost and energy required formanufacturing the portion capsules.

According to the invention it is further provided that a filter elementis arranged into the cavity. Such a filter element divides the cavityinto a first region for accommodating the beverage raw material and intoa second region for accommodating a beverage extract. In particular, itis provided that the filter element is made of a non-woven material.

According to a further subject matter or a preferred development of thepresent invention the portion capsule according to the invention isintended for the preparation of a hot beverage. In the following theinvention is explained based on the FIGS. 1-22. These explanations donot restrict the general idea of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a portion capsule containing sections that differsoptically.

FIG. 2 shows a portion capsule containing a barcode.

FIG. 3 shows a portion capsule with recesses and bulges.

FIG. 4 shows a portion capsule containing sections that differsoptically.

FIG. 5 shows a portion capsule with a key function.

FIG. 6 shows a portion capsule's wall that is electrically conductive.

FIG. 7 shows a portion capsule's wall containing sections that differsoptically.

FIG. 8 shows an enlarged pot construction of the portion capsule's wall.

FIG. 9 shows an edge region that is electrically conductive.

FIG. 10 shows a portion capsule containing a bottom that is electricallyconductive.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment containing a layer that can be detected by ametal detector.

FIG. 12 shows a metallic strainer.

FIG. 13 shows a portion capsule containing a ferromagnetic section.

FIG. 14 shows a portion capsule containing a barcode.

FIG. 15 shows a portion capsule containing a section, which iselectrically conductive, in the wall.

FIG. 16 shows a portion capsule with a gearwheel placed in the brewingchamber.

FIGS. 17 a-c show different embodiments of the portion capsule accordingto FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 shows the portion capsule according to the FIGS. 16 and 17, whenthe portion capsule is fit locking with a gearwheel.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show a schematic view of a portion capsule according toan embodiment of the presented invention.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show two sectional views of the portion capsuleaccording to an embodiment of the presented invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The view illustrated on the right side of FIG. 1 shows a portion capsule1 comprising a base element 2 that has a wall region 2.1 and a bottomarea 2.2. The wall region 2.1 and the bottom area 2.2 define a cavity,which may include the raw material and perhaps a built-in element. Afterfilling the cavity is sealed by a membrane, which is preferably attachedto the edge region 2.4 of the base element using seal or glue. Thisportion capsule can be inserted into a brewing chamber shown in FIG. 12,with a liquid, in particular water, flowing through it. During thisprocess the raw material is extracted or dissolved and therefore thebeverage is produced. According to the invention the portion capsule hasonly one identifier that allows to determinate whether the respectiveportion capsule goes with the coffee machine's brewing chamber and theparameters for processing are chosen properly. If it is not the case,significant security issues arise. Inserting the wrong portion capsule,for example, endanger the brewing chamber's tightness. In this case hotwater can be discharged under high pressure and therefore compromise theuser's safety. Otherwise it is also possible that inserting the wrongportion capsule damages the coffee machine. In this example theidentifier is represented by several raised areas 8, which differ inreflection properties from the sections between the raised areas. Asshown by the arrows the bulges are passed by a mean for detection (here:an optical detector) that is able to differentiate between the unequalsections 5, 6 having different optical properties such as, for example,reflection. Switching between the different sections or the number ofbulges represents the identifier. After the identifier has been read outthe identifier is compared to a stored reference. If the identifieragrees with the reference, the coffee machine will start operating.Particularly the pump, which is for example responsible for pushing hotwater through the brewing chamber, will not start operating, if theidentifier does not agree with the reference.

All the remarks concerning the identifier apply to all the examples.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the portion capsule according to theinvention. Here the portion capsule has a barcode placed in the area ofthe membrane's top surface. This bar-code may be printed by materialremoval or may be generated by a medium that is integrated in the foiland can be detected optically such as a fluorescence agent.Alternatively metal rings may be part of the foil or attached to thefoil. The bar-code's section may be made of a ferromagnetic material. Asshown by the arrow 15 the bar-code alternatively can be attached to thebase element's edge region being averted from the membrane. Such abar-code is read out by a detector 13 placed, for example, in the mediachute. The bar-code represents the identifier according to invention.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the portion capsule according to theinvention. In the present case the identifier comprises recesses andbulges, which result from material removal or reshaping the portioncapsule as shown here by the example of the portion capsule's wall 2.1.In the present case recesses and bulges interact with a mean fordetection 13, which operates like a key, wherein the coffee machine onlystart operating, when all elements 13 are placed in the respectiverecess. Therefore an electric circuit may be changed or especiallyclosed.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the portion capsule being substantiallyidentical to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. As an alternativeversion of the invention the figure additionally shows that the sectionsdiffering in terms of optical properties can be attached to the coverfoil, for example in the form of a bar-code.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the portion capsule being substantiallyidentical to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3. Again the recessesrepresent the key bit. The coffee machine only will start operating, ifthe recesses interact with the corresponding bulges and therefore anelectric circuit is changed respectively. The placement of such a systemis not restricted to the brewing chamber. For instance the system may beplaced in the portion capsule's media chute.

FIG. 6 shows a version of the invention that includes an electricmaterial forming a surrounding ring, which preferably has a raised form.The electrically conductive material is scanned by electric slidingcontacts, which are placed in the media chute and form electric contactsof an electric circuit, while the portion capsule is inserted.

FIG. 7 an embodiment of the portion capsule being substantiallyidentical to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, in which it isprovided that the ring area has reflective or mat sections, for examplein form of a covering, and allows a read-out by means for opticaldetection, which are placed in the media chute and are part of a controlcurrent, while the portion capsule is inserted.

FIG. 8 shows a relative broad and raised ring which represents theidentifier. The media chute is equipped with a corresponding vacancythat tests whether the portion capsule has the proper identifier. Thebroad ring is scanned, for example, by mechanical sensors, which areplaced in the media chute and close the contacts of an electric circuit,while the portions capsule is inserted.

FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the portion capsule according to theinvention. In the present case an electrically conductive coat isintegrated in the edge region's back and is scanned by electric slidingcontacts, which are placed in the media chute and form electric contactsof an electric circuit, while the portion capsule is inserted.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the portion capsule according to theinvention. In the present case the portion capsule has an electricallyconductive coat such as a conductive varnish layer or an aluminum foil.The coat is scanned by electric sliding contacts, which form electriccontacts of an electric circuit, while the portion capsule is inserted.

FIG. 11 illustrates a version of the portion capsule having also anelectrically conductive coat that is placed on its bottom and isidentified by a metal sensor, which is placed in the chute and, forexample, detects inductively, while the portion capsule is inserted.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 12 has a build-in elementmade of metal (here a strainer 19) that is recognized as identifier by ametal detector.

The version of the invention shown in FIG. 13 includes a ferromagneticmaterial placed at the portion capsule′ bottom. The identifier isscanned, for example, by a magnet, which is placed in the chute, whilethe portion capsule is inserted. The ferromagnetic material acts asidentifier.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment which includes a bar-code placed in theregion of the cover foil.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 a metallic ring isintegrated in the wall and closes an electric circuit placed in regionof the brewing chamber.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the portion capsule 1 according tothe invention. The illustrated portion capsule features a base elementthat is basically conical-shaped in the present case and has a bottomregion 2.2 and a wall region 2.1. It is provided that the base elementcontains the raw material and, if necessary, build-in elements like afilter as illustrated here. The expert knows that the build-in elementmay also include other build-in elements. A flange/edge region 2.4,which is preferably circular and, for example, may be used for sealing acover foil to it, is attached to the end of the base element, which isplaced opposite to the bottom. The flange/edge region has means for fitlocking, friction locking and/or detection 2.4.2 in the outer area(outer circumference). As especially shown in the FIGS. 17a-17c the mean2.4.2 is, in the present case, a gearwheel that is formed by severalrecesses/bulges evenly arranged in the edge region. Preferably, it isprovided that the edge region has a sealing surface, which sealinglyinteracts with the sealing 21 attached to the brewing chamber 27, on theinterior side of the gearwheel. The sealing 21 makes sure that the watercoming from a water inlet 28 flows rather through the portion capsule bypassing a opening, which has been made by a mandrel 29, than around it.

FIGS. 17a-17c show different embodiments of the mean 2.4.2. According tothe version shown in FIG. 17a the gearwheel has forty-five teeth.According to the version shown in FIG. 17b or 17 c the gearwheel hastwenty-two or twenty-nine teeth, respectively. The expert knows that themanufactured teeth can be shaped arbitrarily. All FIGS. 17a-17cdemonstrate how the portion capsule 1 can be hold by a part of thebrewing chamber 27 using two holding arms 30. The holding arms interactswith the mean 2.4.2. If they are not available, the holding arms willnot hold the portion capsule and the portion capsule will not beinserted into the brewing chamber and will fall through it into adropping box instead.

FIG. 18 shows the mean 2.4.2. along with an mean for fit locking 24,which is attached to the coffee machine and is represented by a pinionhere. It is provided that the mean for fit locking 24 is placed in themedia chute having a port for inserting the portion capsule in thecoffee machine. The distance between the inner wall of the portioncapsule 25 and the pinion 27 are designed in such a way that the portioncapsule only will pass the port, if the mean for fit locking is formedcomplementary to the teeth of the pinion 27. Only in this case theportion capsule rotates the pinion 24 while it falls. Both rotating andfalling are represented by arrows in the figure. The portion capsuleneeds the rotation for passing the media chute's port and falling in theintended position afterwards. If the portion capsule has no or wrongmean of fit locking, it will be impossible to place the portion capsuleby passing the media chute in the intended position. Additionally oralternatively it is provided that the pinion 24 has a pick-up thatdetects the rotary movement and transmits it to a control unit. If therotation at least correspond a defined rotating element, the controlunit will activate, for example, the brewing unit. The expert knows thatthe portion capsule's border may include means for friction locking thatinteracts with a mean, for example an edge, and shift it in such a waythat the shift is detected and therefore the brewing chamber isactivated.

The expert moreover knows that a sensor, being for example a camera,which detects the form of the mean 2.4.2., may be installed in the mediachute. In the present case the form and/or the distance between theteeth may be detected. If the proper portion capsule was inserted, aresulting signal could be transmitted to a control unit, which activatesthe brewing chamber.

FIG. 19 schematically shows a view of another portion capsule's versionaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 illustratesthe same portion capsule from a different point of view schematically.FIG. 19 shows the front view of the portion capsule. FIG. 20 shows theportion capsule viewed from an angle below. In all figures the portioncapsule is labeled with the reference sign 1. The portion capsulesubstantially has a frustoconically shaped base element 2, which isformed similar to a pot and encloses a cavity 3. The cavity 3 is sealedby a membrane 4. Since the viewing direction of FIG. 1 is essentiallyparallel to the plane, in which the membrane is located, the figure justadumbrate the membrane at the upper edge of the portion capsule. Inparticular the base element 2 comprises a soft, semi-rigid or rigidplastic material which is deep-drown, preferably. The membrane comprisesa foil made of plastic material or aluminum. Preferably the base elementhas a circumferential mounting flange 17 in the region of the membrane,with the membrane and the mounting flange 17 being firmly bonded, inparticular by welding or gluing. Preferably a filter element, which isnot specifically depicted in the figures, is placed within the baseelement 2. For instance, the filter element is made of thermoplasticresin such as, for example, polypropylene. The filter element could alsobe made of a non-woven material such as, for example, thermoplasticresin. Preferably the filter element divides the cavity 3 in twosections. It is provided that the first section can be filled with a rawmaterial and the second section can be filled with and particularlycollect a beverage's extract, which is not shown, during the extractionsprocess. Both sections are not illustrated individually.

The portion capsule is intended for inserting into a brewing chamber ora device for producing a beverage, which is not shown here. Inparticular such a device for producing a beverage is a coffee machine.The device for producing a beverage could be also a machine thatproduces a tea drink, a chocolate drink or any other beverage.Preferably an extraction liquid, which is particularly water or hotwater, is brought under high pressure into the brewing chamber of thedevice for producing a beverage. The extraction liquid interacts withthe raw material of the beverage in such a way that an extract of abeverage or a beverage is generated. In particular the filter element isutilized as a strainer for the extract of a beverage.

According to the invention the base element 2 has a wall region 12 and abottom area 11. The wall region 12 basically ranges from the flange 17to the bottom region 11. Several grooves 15 are placed in the wallregion. In particular these grooves are keyways that are integrated inthe wall region 12 and are facing the cavity 3 and range from the flange17 to the bottom region 11 (i.e. they run perpendicular according toFIG. 19). According to the invention provision is made for the grooves15 to be extended vertically across the wall region, i.e. they runstraight from the flange 17 to the bottom region 11, in which it is notnecessary that they are extended over the whole length. The grooves areformed according to the invention in such a way that the wall region isreinforced or stiffened due to the grooves 15. Moreover the plurality ofthe grooves 15, which are distributed over the wall region 12, realizean adhesion between wall region 12 and the brewing chamber's wall of thedevice for producing a beverage after the extraction process. This makesit easier to eject the portion capsule from the brewing chamberautomatically. The portion capsule's version represented in FIG. 19comprises a circumferential border 16 that is placed at the wall region12 ranging from the flange 17 to the bottom area 11, namely adjacent tothe flange 17 facing towards the bottom area 11. The border 16 has anenlarged diameter (parallel to the membrane 4) compared to the wallregion's ranging from the border 16 to the bottom area 11. It isprovided that the border's contour 16 is designed in such a manner thatthe border's diameter tapers towards the flange 7.

It is provided according to the portion capsule's embodiment, which isrepresented in FIG. 19 and is in accordance with the invention, that thegrooves 15 are placed in the border's region in the first part,partially range from the border 16 to the bottom area 11 across the wallregion 12, in the second part and then finally end. All in all thegrooves cover, for example, around 50% of the extension of the wallregion 12, which ranges from the flange 7 to the bottom area 11, whereinone-third of the grooves' extension is placed in the border's region andtwo-thirds of the grooves' extension is placed in the remaining wallregion 12 that range from the border 16 to the bottom area 11.

A portion capsule according to the invention is shown as sectional viewalong the portion capsule's extension regarding its height in FIG. 21,i.e. the section's plane is perpendicular to the membrane's main plane.FIG. 22 also shows a portion capsule according to the invention in asectional view portraying the sectional plane, which is parallel to themembrane's main plane. It is noticeable that the interior of the portioncapsule's cavity is shown in FIG. 21. The portion capsule's material orthe base element's material is so thin that the implementation ofgrooves at the exterior shown in FIG. 19 leads to correspondingconvexities and impressions at the interior. FIG. 22 particularlyillustrates the gearwheel shaped contour resulting from insertion ofgrooves in the portion capsule's wall region.

1. Portion capsule for producing a beverage, comprising a base elementhaving a cavity in which a beverage raw material is provided the baseelement comprising a flange, wherein the base element is closed by amembrane fastened to the base element, further comprising an identifierto individualize the respective portion capsule, wherein the identifieris an optically detectable identification provided in the membrane, theoptically detectable identification comprising recesses and bulges. 2.Portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein the recesses and bulgesare deep drawn.
 3. Portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein theoptically detectable identification is a layer or a partial layer of themembrane.
 4. Portion capsule according to claim 1, wherein a built-inelement has an identifier.
 5. Portion capsule according to claim 1,wherein the membrane comprises a barrier layer.
 6. Portion capsuleaccording to one of the claim 1, wherein the flange is averted from thebottom area in order to attach the membrane to the base element, whereinthe wall region that is located between the bottom area and the flangecomprises a border.
 7. Portion capsule according to claim 6, wherein thebase element has an enlarged diameter in the border's region compared tothe one of the wall region between the border and the bottom area. 8.Portion capsule according to one of the claim 6, wherein the baseelement tapers in the direction of the flange in the border's region. 9.Portion capsule according to claim 1 wherein a filter element, whichdivides the cavity into a first region for accommodating the beverageraw material and a second region for accommodating a beverage extract,is arranged within the cavity.
 10. Portion capsule according to claim 9,wherein the filter element is made of a non-woven material.
 11. Use of aportion capsule according to claim 1 for preparing a hot beverage.